The Luxury Of Cruises: 5 Best Cruise Lines

Studies have shown that planning a vacation or even just the mere anticipation of one is just as enjoyable (or even more so) as the vacation itself. So don’t be surprised if you’ve been smiling as you’ve been surfing the net, comparing cruise lines and options. The internet has really made us smarter shoppers; especially since with the current economy, many cruise lines have had to resort to hidden charges or do without the small and significant touches that makes a cruise memorable. To help you make a smart buying decision, we’ve gathered the 5 cruise lines with whom you can only expect the best. Besides, spending money on an experience (for example, a vacation) has also been shown to be a better investment in your overall happiness than in a big-ticket item. Memories, especially good ones, are recession-proof.

The Seabourn Cruise Line is the luxury line of Carnival Cruises. Their lower per guest ratios definitely make a difference especially with their smaller ships, and everything is still tastefully detailed and decorated with all amenities and facilities being topnotch. Seabourn guests can revel in the exclusive club feel of these ships, with small personal touches such as the latest technology (flatscreens and the latest i-offerings of Apple,) or even customized stationary. The restaurants are varied and one can be as formal or as laid-back as one likes. One word of caution though, this line is not safe from the practice of surprising surcharges. Definitely sophistication without the stuffiness.

Space is meant to be enjoyed on a Regent Seven Seas Cruise, with their cabins at the largest in their class. The drinks are included in the advertised price, not to mention their excellent choice of wines. And a Cordon Bleu run restaurant only seems to make sense in such luxury. It is also notable that gratuity is discouraged, but the service is still exceptional and sincere. You can gloss over their hodge-podge of nightly entertainment, but there is still much to look forward to with a Regent Seven Seas Cruise.

If dressy evenings with excellent food are more your style, then Silversea Cruise Line is definitely the choice. One can’t help feeling that because they are so focused on getting the best of best, they can tend to be less flexible and may lack variety especially in terms of cuisine choice that you would see in other lines. But still the attention to detail that the Concierge provides especially with in-port experiences is unmatched. And the formality seems more like an extremely luxurious way of living than a limitation.

Crystal Cruises knows their market, and is very particular about meeting the demands of their mostly retired passengers. High quality food, service and entertainment is often what this cruise line is most associated with. In fact, restaurants on the ship are run by famous chefs and are definitely worth the price. It’s the personalized service that makes a Crystal Cruises vacation worth remembering. The crews take pains to remember your name and to make sure that you always feel comfortable.

The World of Residensea is like no other. Imagine the luxury of being one of 175 guests on a ship large enough for 1500 people. It’s a definite game-changer for cruise ships as it allows you to bring the space that you are most comfortable with, your home, with you on holiday but a version of home that is designed for you by the cream of the crop. A single ship assures that every year you take a cruise on “The World’s Most Luxurious Cruise Experieince,” is open to a world of new experience.

Like a secret carefully guarded among the true blue luxury travellers, the Sea Dream Yacht Club is an experience to be remembered. A cruise not for those who seek the Vegas sparkle of the larger cruise lines, the breathtaking yachts in their arsenal are for the more relaxed traveler who will only deal with excellent personal service. With its transparent pricing, the Sea Dream Yacht Club is both casual and high-end, definite class without the stiffness.

When deciding on which cruise line to choose, remember to consider the kind of experience that you are hoping to find and to rely more on personal reviews. The opinions of an unbiased silent majority are definitely more valuable than the biased loud minority, so take the time. And definitely, bon voyage!

Before you go on vacation, share first which cruise experience you’d like to have here and take your opinion to the world-or, better yet, around the world! If you’re a travel blogger, visit us at Qwanz for polls and content on lifestyle, entertainment, politics and everything else.